]]>India seized upon a reality about Kashmir when it announced that it had revoked the special status it conferred on, and its previous agreements with, the Muslim-majority territory. This reality was that Kashmir’s 8 million Muslims have become the world’s forgotten people. A people that the international community can no longer summon the will to stand up against its oppressors and violators of human rights and international law. Indian security forces instantly moved into the region, as New Delhi proceeded to action its strategic aim of changing the region’s demographics and implement its new ethnic cleansing Hindu nationalist settler-colonial project. This will systematically transform settlements into mini-cities, usurping land from the Kashmiris and giving it to Hindu Indians, while Muslim citizens of this besieged state will be denied the same rights that have been afforded to their colonisers. Does this plan sound familiar? It’s probably because our minds are drawn towards the Zionist oppression in the Israeli-occupied Palestinian territories.

Decades of state-sponsored terror and militancy have ensured that a cycle of violence remains, one where the rights of Kashmiris have been repeatedly violated. The people of Kashmir have been victims of torture, threats, extortion, arrests, and killings. They have always been hostile to the presence of India’s troops on their soil and have shown strong determination in resisting the tens of thousands of killings and thousands of rapes, disappearances, and torture inflicted upon the population at the hands of these foreign occupiers. Long-standing agreements in place had afforded the Kashmiri people the right to determine their own destiny.

The dispute between India and Pakistan over Kashmir has been a searing wound for decades, with the roots of the conflict lying in their shared colonial past. Both nations fought three wars over the contested territory, whilst their previous colonisers Great Britain kept aloof from the explosive developments in the region. This conflict largely reflects a bitter and troubled legacy of British colonialism, and without a shadow of a doubt has been part of the leftovers from the decolonisation process. In fact, drawing parallels with the Palestine crisis (another legacy of British colonialism), renowned author Arundhati Roy aptly captures this development: “How carelessly imperial power vivisected ancient civilizations. Palestine and Kashmir are imperial Britain’s festering, blood-drenched gifts to the modem world. Both are fault lines in the raging international conflicts of today.” [1] The parallels between the two have never looked as ominous as they do now. Several reasons for the conflict over Kashmir have been argued, more often than not to serve globalist interests rather than the fundamental needs or desires of the Kashmiris themselves. There are many outside factors at play that have exacerbated the human rights situation in the Kashmir region.

Israel has been playing a big role in India’s escalation of the conflict with Pakistan. Modi appears to be taking a page straight out of the Israeli playbook. Critics have warned that metamorphosis in Kashmir could mirror Jewish settlements in the West.[2] Many of the Indian ruling party BJP’s aspirations and policy proposals for Kashmir are imitations of extant Israeli practices in Palestine. Key among these is the desire to build Israeli-style Hindu-only settlements in Kashmir as a way of instigating demographic change. For months, Israel has been assiduously lining itself up alongside India’s nationalist BJP government in an unspoken – and politically dangerous – ‘anti-Islamist’ coalition; an unofficial, unacknowledged alliance. India has now become the largest weapons market for the Israeli arms trade.[3] Several Indian commentators, however, have warned that right-wing nationalism under Modi and right-wing Zionism should not become the foundations of the relationship between the two countries, both of which – in rather different ways – fought the British Empire.[4]

It is pathetic that the international community is, yet again, responding to Kashmiri fears and suffering with callous indifference. Its concerns are confined to hoping that Pakistan and India do not end up nuking each other into oblivion. The history of the international community’s involvement in the Kashmir dispute is one of repeated frustration and failure. The international community has recognised that the continuous refusal of the Indian government to countenance an international role in Kashmir makes it likely that any outside efforts will be as unsuccessful as others were in the past. However, India cannot get away from the fact that Kashmir is an ‘internationally recognised disputed territory’, thereby unilaterally changing the status quo of the state is unacceptable. It is clear that the spirit of the 1972 Simla Agreement between India and Pakistan, which states that the final status of Jammu and Kashmir is to be settled by peaceful means in accordance with the UN Charter, is in tatters. It is doubtful to what extent the UN will consider using the UN doctrine of the principle of ‘Responsibility to Protect’ – the international community’s intervention to stop atrocities from taking place – in light of the many crimes against humanity committed against the Kashmiri people under cover of lockdowns and blackouts.

What is more troubling and concerning is the sheer indifference of the so-called Muslim world (Ummah), with some Arab leaders even rewarding the oppressors. Whereas the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has expressed its “deep concerns” and condemned “illegal Indian actions” in Kashmir, the leaders of Muslim-majority countries have been conspicuously mute or worse. This is typified by Saudi Arabia refraining from taking a position on recent developments, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) praising New Delhi by arguing that India’s revocation of Article 370 will “improve social justice and security and confidence of the people in the local governance and will encourage further stability and peace.” Shamefully, amidst these developments in Kashmir, the ruler of UAE, Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed, graced Modi with the ‘Order of Zayed’, the Kingdom’s highest civilian order. Similarly, the kings of both Saudi Arabia and Bahrain conferred their highest Orders on Modi on earlier occasions.

This shameful scenario of Arab leaders betraying Muslim causes is not entirely surprising. In fact, Palestinians today are torn between President Donald Trump’s arrogance and Arab indifference. Faarah Adan writes, “Arab leaders laid down the very foundations that led to the pitiful conditions in which the Palestinians exist today. The Palestinian road to peace and self-determination is hamstrung not only by Israeli aggression but also by decades of indecisiveness and the Arab leaders’ bumbling incompetency.” [5] Like Trump, Arab regimes — particularly Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Egypt — find themselves more aligned than ever with Israel on regional priorities. Equally shameful is when 22 (mostly Western) ambassadors wrote to the UN Human Rights Council in July expressing concern about China’s mass detentions in East Turkestan (which it calls the “Xinjiang” region) and calling for “meaningful access” for “independent international observers”, another letter was delivered to the Council signed by 37 ambassadors, which included a dozen Muslim governments (including Pakistan) endorsing what China whitewashed as a “counter-terrorism and de-radicalization” operation and claimed that “the fundamental human rights of people of all ethnic groups there are safeguarded.” [6] It is not surprising that gross human rights violations have also been occurring in the Muslim world.

This trend is pointing towards a change of priorities by Muslim leaders in the modern context. What is clear is that Modi’s unilateral declaration on Kashmir fits the mould of Trump’s declaration on East Jerusalem and the Golan Heights. In this context, Modi riding roughshod over Kashmir is nothing surprising. In dealing with recent conflicts, Muslim leaders also appear to be joining the Trump/Netanyahu/Xi Jinping/Modi club in putting flesh on the skeleton of a new world order that enables civilisational leaders to violate international law with impunity. It also allows them to cast aside diplomacy and ignore national, ethnic, minority, religious, and human rights. The Muslim world’s varied response to crises that target the rights of Muslims suggest not only impotence, but also a growing willingness to sacrifice causes on the altar of perceived national interest and economic advantage. The question is whether this is an approach that would be popularly endorsed if freedom of expression in many Muslim countries was not severely restricted. The risk is that the inability of leaders to gauge public opinion or willingness to ignore it will eventually come back to haunt them. [7]

]]>Modi’s surprising actions in Kashmir after the repeal of Article 370 are influenced by a worldview that has seized India: Hindutva. In this rabid form of nationalism built upon a grand conceit, Hindu nationalists view Islam as the main problem. For these nationalists, the place of Islam in India is one that is subdued, depoliticised, and chastened by the power of the state and the braying of the mob. It is a necessary doctrine that Modi has encouraged to create a direction for his country that provides purpose and meaning for what many Indians today call the country’s historic moment. [1] Modi has attempted to patch together a ‘grand narrative’ about the country as he aspires to develop India into a regional power. [2] Like most ultra-nationalists, focussing upon a perceived enemy within – and an enemy next door – enables a national sentiment for national progression. In this regard, Hindutva shares a lot with 1930s European fascism.

The mob lynching of Pehlu Khan, a 50-year-old dairy farmer from Rajasthan just north of New Delhi, was caught on camera and uploaded to the internet by those accused of murdering him. This may have horrified outsiders, but in India, his attackers have been lionised. The six killers were filmed brazenly beating him to death whilst he pleaded for mercy. Last week, they were acquitted of murder on a technicality: the video had not apparently met the standards of forensic evidence. This was despite countless witnesses, two of whom were his sons (who were also beaten), and despite one of the assailants admitting to the murder to an undercover reporter. Around 50 people have been lynched in the last three years by so-called cow vigilantes, and hundreds more have been injured.

Indian academic Fadl Hejazi argues that the impunity with which the killers conduct their mob justice arises from the certain knowledge that India’s state institutions will ultimately exonerate them. [3] Since coming to office in 2014, Modi has systematically eroded the independence of state institutions. The judiciary, law enforcement, and civil administration have all been subverted by his call for national renewal and the need to chasten Muslims. Even more insidiously, this nationalism has created a media conformity that requires TV anchors and pundits to echo the message coming out of New Delhi or otherwise be branded as unpatriotic. The recent Pulwama and Balakot episodes illustrate the length to which India’s media is ready to conspire with Modi.[4]

Since partition in 1947, Indian politics has been dominated by the Indian National Congress, the party of its founder Nehru. This one-party domination collapsed in 1998 for a brief period when the BJP came to office, and it seemed, for a while at least, that a new two-party system would replace the monopoly of the Congress Party. When the BJP lost power in 2004 and the Congress Party returned to dominate Indian politics for a decade, such views seemed premature. However, in 2014, the BJP returned under the leadership of Narendra Modi and dominates the Indian political scene today, having won a landslide electoral victory in April 2019. This is in no small part due to both the Obama and Trump administrations barely concealing their support for Modi. For the US, the BJP government can be enlisted to side with it in its quest to provide a counterbalance against its new global competitor, China. [5] This is why, despite his obvious power grab in Kashmir, Modi is feted around the world, moving from the UAE to the G7 summit in France last month posing with the so-called great global powers. Not only does this embolden Modi at home, it also sends a clear signal that what happens in Kashmir in terms of state repression, imprisonment, and disappearances is unimportant to powers that profess liberty for all.

The Afghan connection

For their part, the US has remained muted over Modi’s mob justice and Kashmir land grab. India’s strategic importance, and that of the BJP remaining in government, supersedes any consideration for justice. In the short term, the Trump administration sees mediation on Kashmir conditional to full support from Pakistan over its Afghan dilemma. This support, at least from the perspective of the US, has until now not been genuine, with the US accusing Islamabad of playing a double-game.

America’s longest war may be coming to an end; at least, that is the hope of the Trump administration. For 18 years, the US has failed to bring the Taliban to heel, oscillating between failed troop surges and periods of diplomacy. The Bush administration began the war with grandiose notions of regime change and democratic transformation only to be swallowed into a quagmire about which most Americans had lost interest. When Obama came to office, he announced a troop withdrawal and a drawdown of US commitments as he attempted to refocus his attention to the Far East and the emerging threat from China; his so-called ‘pivot to Asia’. However, this intention to leave Afghanistan came with a troop surge. At one point, 140,000 NATO ISAF troops were deployed to root out the militia group that had fought a successful asymmetrical war. By 2014, Obama’s failure was clear: the Taliban remained at large and their power had not eroded. All Obama could do was save face and publicly withdraw whilst rebranding the operation and keeping a residual force of 9,000 soldiers to supposedly undertake ‘non-combat’ roles. This facade was soon exposed, as US troops had to re-engage. The subsequent Trump administration soon had to accept the inevitable: the only solution was to negotiate a way out. However, like the other failed war that the US fought in Vietnam, it had to ‘leave with honour’.

The US need Pakistan to bring all of the Taliban to the negotiating table. More critically, pressure needs to be applied on the militant group to negotiate with the Ghani government of Afghanistan. The Taliban thus far have refused to speak to Ghani, preferring the optics of negotiating with the world’s superpower. Without this, the US presence in Afghanistan would be shown to be what it truly is: the real political force in the country. Simply put, Trump needs the above two conditions to be met to ‘leave with honour’. Withholding diplomatic support for Pakistan over the issue of Kashmir applies pressure on Islamabad. The hope of the US is that Pakistan will get the message.

For his part, Imran Khan has to play the role of the resolute leader, taking to Twitter to castigate Modi and talking of Hindutva and false-flag operations. [6]

These events are coupled with a failed Security Council special meeting sponsored half-heartedly by China, [7] calls to take India to the International Court of Justice, and, bizarrely, an attempt to suspend Priyanka Chopraas a UN goodwill ambassador. [8] These moves may play well to temporarily pacify an enraged public but they do little to address the real problem of India’s occupation of Kashmir.

]]>https://www.islam21c.com/politics/modi-kashmir-and-pakistans-dilemma/feed/248698Hekmatyar: “If you have the courage and strength, test your power on Russia’s Putin, not on innocent Afghans”https://www.islam21c.com/news-views/hekmatyar-if-you-have-the-courage-and-strength-test-your-power-on-russias-putin-not-on-innocent-afghans/
https://www.islam21c.com/news-views/hekmatyar-if-you-have-the-courage-and-strength-test-your-power-on-russias-putin-not-on-innocent-afghans/#respondSat, 27 Jul 2019 22:12:01 +0000https://www.islam21c.com/?p=47033Afghans chant “Death to Trump” in rally following remarks that he could wipe Afghanistan “off the face of the Earth”

]]>During a press meeting at the White House with the Prime Minister of the Islamic Republic of Pakistan Imran Khan, US President Donald Trump casually mentioned that he had “plans” on Afghanistan that would kill 10 million people. [1]

He told reporters carelessly that his administration was able to win the war in Afghanistan in just one week if he really wanted to, he could wipe it “off the face of the Earth…in literally 10 days.” However, Trump said, he does not want to do that as he does not want millions of people to die.

Trump said:

“I don’t want to kill 10 million people, I have plans on Afghanistan that if I wanted to win that war, Afghanistan would be wiped off the face of the earth, it would be gone, it would be over in literally 10 days.”

“If I wanted to win that war, Afghanistan would be wiped off the face of the earth, it would be over literally in 10 days,” Trump said. “I just don’t want to kill 10 million people.” pic.twitter.com/2h0JTa4ZCY

In response to Trumps comments, the leader of the political party, Hezb-i-Islami, and one of the main presidential candidates in the upcoming elections, Gulbuddin Hekmatyar, told Trump to go and “test your power on Russia’s Putin, not on innocent Afghans”. [2]

He suggested to Trump that if he really wanted to show his strength and flex his muscles, then he should test the US military capability against Russia as opposed to threatening “oppressed” Afghans. [3]

Trump’s comments sparked anger and protests from many politicians and the general public in the war-torn country.

Hekmatyar, a key presidential candidate and one of the most significant figures in the fight against the Soviet forces in the 80s, denounced Trump’s comments whilst addressing thousands of his supporters in a gathering in the capital.

During his speech, the angry crowd of around 10,000 repeated “Death to America, Death to Trump”.

Addressing Trump directly, Hekmatyar said:

“We ask Mr. Trump that if you have the courage and strength, and you believe in your military power, then test it against [Russian President Vladimir] Putin, and not the oppressed Afghans,”

Hekmatyar went on to mock President Trump in reference to his election victory through alleged Russian interference. He said:

“The same Putin who is said to have meddled in America’s election, enabling you [Trump] to reach the White House to become the president…”

Hekmatyar also criticised the current Afghan President, Ashraf Ghani, and his coalition government for merely seeking a “clarification” from the US as opposed to condemning the US President’s comments.

Hekmatyar is one of the most prominent and influential leaders against the Soviet forces in the 1980s. He is an Afghan war veteran and politician who also shortly served as the Prime Minister of the country in the 1990s.

He is the founder and current leader of the political party, Hezb-i-Islami, which literally translates to Islamic Party, an Islamic organisation that was set up by him and his associates in the year 1975.

His rebel group was considered as one of the most successful in defeating the Soviet army and the second-largest rebel group in the country. [4] It was a group which stood firmly against the Communist Government of Afghanistan and then a few years later against the Government’s close ally, the Soviet Union.

Hekmatyar and his fighters from Hezb-i-Islami also fought alongside the Taliban against US and coalition forces until two years ago when he signed a landmark peace deal with the Afghan government.

The deal allowed for Hekmatyar to return to Afghanistan after two decades in exile. [5] He has since called for peace and reconciliation, demanded the withdrawal of foreign forces, and called on fair and transparent elections.

The United Nations lifted sanctions against Hekmatyar, subsequent to a decision made by the UN Security Council to remove Hekmatyar from the UN ‘terrorist’ blacklist. [6]

In a bid to bring about a peaceful solution in the country, the 25-point pact provided Hekmatyar and his members with amnesty and granted them with full political rights. It also recognised the Hezb-i-Islami organisation as a political party, and allowed for the release of some of its prisoners. As part of the deal, he and his party agreed to accept the constitution, abandon fighting, and to encourage others to do the same. [7]

]]>https://www.islam21c.com/news-views/hekmatyar-if-you-have-the-courage-and-strength-test-your-power-on-russias-putin-not-on-innocent-afghans/feed/047033Islamophobic Hysteria Continues to Engulf US Politician Ilhan Omarhttps://www.islam21c.com/politics/islamophobic-hysteria-continues-to-engulf-us-politician-ilhan-omar/
https://www.islam21c.com/politics/islamophobic-hysteria-continues-to-engulf-us-politician-ilhan-omar/#respondTue, 16 Apr 2019 17:25:52 +0000https://www.islam21c.com/?p=42632The Somali-born US Congresswoman has been subject to an Islamophobic hate-campaign and death threats, following Trump and the Murdoch press‘ hysteria.

]]>Since the early days of her election victory in November 2018, Minnesota’s recently-elected Congresswoman, Ms. Ilhan Omar, has been under constant attack. The Somali-born refugee and hijab-wearing politician has become known for her outspoken approach in speaking up against matters she feels are unjust, including Israeli occupation and Zionist lobbying in the US, as well as the US-led coup attempt in Venezuela, and most recently, the erosion of civil liberties faced by Muslims following 9/11.

Speaking at an event held by the civil rights group, Council of American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) on 23rd March, just over a week after the tragic and hate-filled New Zealand shootings, Ms. Omar touched on many issues that affected the Muslim community, and the consequences of Islamophobia. During this speech, she mentioned:

“Here’s the truth. For far too long we have lived with the discomfort of being a second-class citizen and, frankly, I’m tired of it, and every single Muslim in this country should be tired of it. CAIR was founded after 9/11 because they recognized that some people did something and that all of us were starting to lose access to our civil liberties.”[1]

Her point was clearly that the actions of a few have unjustly led to mass curtailment of the rights of an entire community. This point was well-understood at the time, yet many weeks later, a Republican Congressman shared a clip of the above quote and implied that Ms Omar had belittled the 9/11 attack by using the words “some people did something”.[2] The underlying current of Islamophobia in both US media and politics was ignited in no time.

Fox News, along with several other right-wing media outlets, began to comment and scrutinize her words, continuing to misrepresent what was actually said and present her as anti-American, leading to US president Trump joining in by tweeting a clip of the now-famous words “some people did something” being repeated several times over with footage of the 9/11 attacks in between each instance and said “WE WILL NEVER FORGET!”.[3] Likewise, Murdoch-owned newspapers, including the New York Post, carried front-page images of the twin-towers attack, condemning Ms. Omar for seemingly downplaying the attacks.

Since then, the politician has been under a continuous onslaught of media attacks, and many prominent voices within her own party have shown reluctance to outwardly condemn the hysteria and character assassination attempts, proving the very points she made during her speech – and showing that the disease of Islamophobia is certainly not limited to the right-wing, but is rather quite mainstream.

Social media was alight with views calling for a wide of variety of measures against her, such as incarceration in Guantanamo Bay, deportation, and even murder.[4] So far, one man has already been charged with threating her life.[5] Ms. Omar released a statement on Sunday evening:

“Since the President’s tweet Friday evening, I have experienced an increase in direct threats on my life — many directly referencing or replying to the President’s video. I thank the Capitol Police, the FBI, the House Sergeant at Arms, and the Speaker of the House for their attention to these threats.

Violent crimes and other acts of hate by right-wing extremists and white nationalists are on the rise in this country and around the world. We can no longer ignore that they are being encouraged by the occupant of the highest office in the land.”

Violent rhetoric and all forms of hate speech have no place in our society, much less from our country’s Commander in Chief. We are all Americans. This is endangering lives. It has to stop.”[6]

The manufactured controversy surrounding @IlhanMN's 9/11 remarks is predicated on the Islamophobic belief that Muslims "by nature" harbor terrorist and violent sympathies and are therefore complicit in the 9/11 attacks. This is the most basic definition of bigotry. #Islamophobiahttps://t.co/iwN1K8rvOR

Senior Democrats such as Nancy Pelosi[7], and presidential candidate Kirsten Gillibrand[8], both condemned President Trump for his incitement – his tweet was pinned to the top of his account for a number of days – whilst treading cautiously to avoid supposedly supporting the Muslim Congresswoman; a point not lost on Muslims unfortunately. Speaking of the Democratic Party’s own Islamophobia in the matter, Professor Todd Green also tweeted:

The Democratic Party has internalized #Islamophobia to the point that some of its presidential candidates are attempting to "both sides" their response to Trump's racist tweet against Ilhan Omar. The party is struggling to find its voice & courage in the face of Islamophobia. pic.twitter.com/1dPzjUtHcq

Whilst the rage continues, the valid issue highlighted by Congresswoman Ilhan Omar in her speech has ironically not only been overlooked, but also played out in full display for all to see. However, only a few take notice, whilst the majority are blinded by their own internalised Islamophobia. The manufactured controversy is a clear message that “Americans who are Muslim — or who are perceived to be Muslim — are constantly engaged in a battle to maintain their constitutionally guaranteed civil liberties”.[9]

The US has had no shortage of institutionalised Islamophobia post-9/11, with the operation of Guantanamo Bay, legislating spying on communities, entrapment, and many other clear cases of inequality and racism towards Muslim communities.[10] There, and across the pond in Europe, Muslims face the same struggle against state, politicians, and media alike in having to prove their loyalty and humanity. The lessons of this constant “otherisation”, for which we unfortunately witnessed its consequence in New Zealand just five weeks ago, seem to have already been forgotten.

]]>https://www.islam21c.com/politics/islamophobic-hysteria-continues-to-engulf-us-politician-ilhan-omar/feed/042632Golan Heights Fiasco: Trump’s ‘Deal of the Century’?https://www.islam21c.com/politics/golan-heights-fiasco-trumps-deal-of-the-century/
https://www.islam21c.com/politics/golan-heights-fiasco-trumps-deal-of-the-century/#respondSat, 13 Apr 2019 12:26:23 +0000https://www.islam21c.com/?p=42558"When will the Muslim leadership regain their long-lost backbone and save the dignity of the Ummah from further degradation?"

]]>It is a reality that injustice, impunity, and inequality are the hallmarks of our time, as recently proven by theTrump Bibi partnership’scontinuous,callous regard for international law. During a Summit, Trump signed a presidential proclamation to formally recogniseZionistsovereignty over the Golan Heights which, under international law, is still considered Syrian territory, thus breaking long-standing US and international policies on the occupied territory. On 21st March, he tweeted:

“After 52 years it is time for the United States to fully recognize Israel’s Sovereignty over the Golan Heights, which is of critical strategic and security importance to the State of Israel and Regional Stability!”1

Thisannouncement wasunmistakably an election-time favour for Prime MinisterNetanyahu. Thus, whilst Netanyahu congratulated Trump for this ‘historic justice’, the Arab and Muslim leaders,as well as their respective organisations,appeared to compete in issuing ‘strong’, albeit ineffective, condemnations. With the century–old plunder of Palestinian lands and the naming of Jerusalem as the capital city of the Zionist entitylast year, this latest annexation raises the million-dollar question: when will the Muslim leadership regain their long-lost backbone and save the dignity of the Ummah from further degradation?

No other country approved this latest act of plunder. Both the UN and EU issued statements dissociating with this unilateral US action, as they did in the case of Jerusalem last year. For example, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, addressing the Arab League Summit meeting in Tunisia, said that any resolution to the Syrian conflict must guarantee the territorial integrity of Syria “including the occupied Golan Heights”. The 28 countries of the EU also unanimously declared that they do not recognise Zionist sovereignty over the Golan Heights, in line with UN Security Council resolutions 242 and 497.However, Trump’s recent proclamation on Golan Heights should not be considered as just a cynical political gambit. It is indeed a dramatic change in US policy regarding the Middle East and has serious consequences. For instance, the Zionist entity has been reportedly co-operating with US energy giant, Genie, to explore potentially large oil reserves under the Golan, where Trump’s son-in-law and Senior Advisor, Jared Kushner, has family interests as well.It seems possible that the US’ next move will be perhaps to officially recognise the Zionist entity’sclamour to annex vast areas of the West Bank.

As the Golan Heights move clearly carries tell-tale signs of a step towards full annexation, it is shameful to see some Arab media claim it could be a forerunner to the “deal of the century” that Trump has been promising the Palestinian people. In Saudi Arabian news, Yasar Yarkis, former Foreign Minister of Turkey, questions whether the annexation will “be in favor of the Palestinian people when the time comes” for the deal, and that if this is correct, similar could be said about “Trump’s decisions to move the US Embassy from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem”.2This would make the so-called “deal of the century” a reported first attempt at ‘resolving’ the conflict, by imposing it on the Palestinians without any involvement or consultation.But does this really seem to be the case?

Kushnerundertook a diplomatic tour to many Middle Eastern countries in hopes of promoting and fundraising for this deal and reportedly planned to unveil it after the Zionist State’s general elections this month. This came afterFebruary’s “anti-Iran” conference in Warsaw, in which the US sought to isolate Iran, but were eventually the ones isolated themselves instead. A report claimed that, after the conference, Iranian officials felt threatened to “resume nuclear activities”,3which had been limited in the 2015 nuclear deal. The timing of Kushner’s Middle Eastern diplomatic roundup seemsto bepart of the Trump administration’s plans, linking the aforesaid “deal of the century” to the formation of an Arab-Israeli, anti-Iran alliance.As a result, its Arab allies would be expected to re-establish its diplomatic links with the Zionist regime after accepting the Kushner deal, and then join hands to counter the so-called Iran threat.

Furthermore, from what is publicly known about the deal, there is reason to believe that the provisions will not uphold the best interests of the Palestinians.In an interview for Emerati channel, Sky News Arabia, Kushner stated:

“If you can eliminate the border and have peace and less fear of terror, you could have freer flow of goods, freer flow of people and that would create a lot of opportunities.”4

Joe Macaron writes, in regard to this comment:

“What his cryptic declaration means is that the weaker Palestinian economy will become further integrated into the Israeli one, making Palestinians even more dependent on the Israeli state, which will retain full control over security and hence its ability to repress Palestinian political dissent.”

Thus, an institutionalised Zionist control would lead to “disastrous consequences for Palestinians”.6

This implies thatthe Zionist entity’simpunity—teargassing, shooting, and killing protestors who pose no credible threat—wouldcontinue unabated.According to a UN Report:

“Since 30 March 2018, the Gaza Strip has witnessed a significant increase in Palestinian casualties in the context of mass demonstrations and other activities along Israel’s perimeter fence with Gaza. The large number of casualties among unarmed Palestinian demonstrators, including a high percentage of demonstrators hit by live ammunition, has raised concerns about excessive use of force by Israeli troops. Exposure of children to violence and lack of protection for medical teams are also of concern.”5

This blatant disregard for Gazan lives is unforgiveable. As a Guardian article queried, ‘If one can kill with impunity, then can one live without consequence?”6

While these Zionist daylight robberies and impunities continue under the nose of the international monitoring bodies, both the Organisation of Islamic Cooperationand the Arab League increasingly prove themselves to be spineless in the global arena. It is shameful to watch the increasing relations between the Zionist state and Islamic countries in the Middle East and Africa, side-lining the Palestinian cause, as this goes against resolutions previously adopted by bothof these organisations.

The centrality of Palestine to the Muslim world cannot be hidden, no matter what the Trump-Bibi partnershipconspires with their Arab friends. The Nakba, the Catastrophe of 1948, is ongoing, and its effects can be seen with millions of Palestinian refugees worldwide.The upside, now, is that there is renewed international support for the Palestinian cause. It is necessary for all to continue campaigningin order to initiate actions that are in accordance with UN resolutions—actions that will recognise the rights of Palestinians and end Zionist occupation.

]]>https://www.islam21c.com/politics/golan-heights-fiasco-trumps-deal-of-the-century/feed/042558Trump’s economic attack on Turkey has only sparked mass support from Muslimshttps://www.islam21c.com/politics/trumps-economic-attack-on-turkey-has-only-sparked-mass-support-from-muslims/
https://www.islam21c.com/politics/trumps-economic-attack-on-turkey-has-only-sparked-mass-support-from-muslims/#respondWed, 15 Aug 2018 18:12:38 +0000https://www.islam21c.com/?p=36604“But they plot, and Allāh plans. And Allāh is the best of planners.”

]]>In 2016 a faction of the Turkish military attempted to forcibly remove the democratically elected leader of the country. The coup miserably failed as millions of ordinary Turks took to the streets in defiance of sections of the military. Shopkeepers, doctors, engineers and teachers marched onto the streets facing off tanks and armed soldiers in defence of their hard fought right to self-determination. Two years on and another, more subtle, but equally vile attempt to destabilise Turkey is being made. Yet this time the tool is economic and the orchestrator more brazen. Whilst Trump may claim it is about one single American, some commentators have suggested US pastor Brunson is merely a pretext to Trump’s ultimate ambition of toppling the Islamically orientated government, just as had occurred with President Morsi in Egypt.

All eyes are currently on the economic attack on Turkey and awaiting the next move by newly re-elected President Erdogan in resolving the situation. The crisis has been directly caused by Trump’s administration raising tariffs on Turkish imports in response to Erdogan’s refusal to free controversial US Pastor, Andrew Brunson, who is accused of supporting terrorism in Turkey.

By demanding the release of Pastor Brunson to the USA, Trump is effectively saying a sovereign nation, which has historical roots much older than the country he is leading, has a judiciary system too primitive to be trusted to investigate an American.

Trump is playing a dangerous game. His childish attempt to destabilise the Turkish economy could have devastating effects on Europe as several European banks are heavily exposed in the Turkish market. Even if contagion from the Turkish economic attack does not spread to Europe, Trump’s actions are forcing Turkey (a key NATO ally) further into the arms of Russia and China. NATO, which has largely kept the peace in Europe since the Second World War but which is derided by President Trump, may well be at risk should Turkey find its alliances elsewhere. Furthermore, in Trump’s trade war with China, Europe and others, he is trying to set the world alight forgoing international norms and rules which have kept the peace.

Whilst the Muslim world no doubt feels empathy and concern with its Turkish brothers and sisters, there are a few points worth remembering. Firstly, it has been striking to see the substantial support from the members of the Muslim world for their beleaguered Turkish brethren. It is unusual to see a financial catastrophe, as opposed to the all-too usual crises of war and famine, engender such intense feelings of solidarity with fellow Muslims. It is also a marker of Turkey’s growing influence and position as one of the leading Muslim nations and the place it occupies in the hearts of the Muslim world.

Muslims the world over have been rallying to buy Turkish lira for no other reason than to seek the pleasure of Allāh. Such people are knowingly buying a currency in free fall because of a sense of Muslim solidarity. In our modern, materialistic, profit driven societies, such acts of altruism demand reflection. When else in history has a people volunteered what is essentially charity in order to support a government? If we consider the financial Armageddon of 2008 – this was partly exacerbated by, or the fear of, a run on the banks – creditors removing their savings in order to safeguard them from the Bank’s collapse. However, the opposite is happening now, Muslims are giving what is arguably sadaqah in order to prop up an economy which is not even their own. It also brings to mind the saying of the noble Prophet Muḥammad (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam):

“The prayer is light and sadaqah is burhān (evidence of a person’s imān).”

In Surah Munafiqūn, Allāh begins by describing the hypocrites lying about their true belief in the Prophethood of the Messenger (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam):

“When the hypocrites come to you [O Muhammad], they say, “We testify that you are the Messenger of Allah.” And Allah knows that you are His Messenger, and Allah testifies that the hypocrites are liars.”[1]

Later in the same surah Allāh compares the believers’ action to the mere words of the hypocrites when He (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) says:

“And spend [in the way of Allah] from what We have provided you before death approaches one of you and he says: ‘My Lord, if only You would delay me for a brief term so I would give charity and be among the righteous.’”[2]

Here we can see that Allāh does not merely call for the believers to say ‘we believe’ but praises the actions of the believers who give charity. It is therefore from the characteristics of a believer that the belief within his heart must result in actions with his wealth and limbs.

The Trump and President Erdogan exchange has been very revealing. Trump tweeted:

“I have just authorized a doubling of Tariffs on Steel and Aluminum with respect to Turkey as their currency, the Turkish Lira, slides rapidly downward against our very strong Dollar!”

So Trump is clearly targeting the economy of ordinary Turks and is relying on the strength of, as some Americans call it, the “Almighty” Dollar. However, President Erdogan’s response revealed who he and the Turkish people rely upon:

“If they have dollars, we have our people, we have our right and we have Allāh!”[3]

President Erdogan reminded himself and his supporters that their strength lay with Allāh, the jamāʿah (the collective) and justice. Whilst Trump may worship the dollar which rises and falls on the speculation of men, President Erdogan has seemingly placed his faith in the Lord of the Heavens and the Earth.

İbrahim Kalın, a presidential spokesperson and Special Adviser to the Turkish President, tweeted just hours ago:

Qatar has pledged $15 billion of direct investments in Turkey.Turkish-Qatari relations are based on solid foundations of true frienship and solidarity.

If Trump’s aim was to cause civil unrest to ultimately topple the government he has failed. More than that, it has had the opposite effect with Turks en masse rushing to support their government in defence against a brazen economic attack by the US. Indeed Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) says:

“But they plot, and Allāh plans. And Allāh is the best of planners.”[4]

Another aim of this economic attack is to coerce President Erdogan to increase interest rates, which is in direct violation of his Government’s stated Islamic principles. Erdogan has described interest as “the mother and father of all evil”,[5] consistent with normative Islamic belief.

Whilst Trump is busy “making American great again” he fails to appreciate that true greatness is showing resilience after a calamity. It is indeed the Turks who are showing patience after a calamity. So it is Erdogan through this trial who, by the permission and Tawfīq of Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā), is making Turkey great again. Some have suggested that Turkey’s economic predicament is a result of President Erdogan’s poor governance. However, such people may do well to remember the siege the Quraysh placed on the most successful leader in human history, the Prophet (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam), and the resultant suffering of the small band of Muslims. Or consider the famine during the caliphate of ʿUmar b. al-Khaṭṭāb caused by drought which was named “Aam Ramada”, the “Year of Ashes” due to the intense heat and wind seemingly blowing ashes. The conclusion, therefore, is that a lack of financial prosperity cannot necessarily be taken as an indication of unjust governance.

President Erdogan has called for the boycott of American goods. There may be the usual dissenting voices, resignedly throwing their arms in the air saying: “What good will it do?”. However, Allāh does not demand results from us, but merely the intention and effort. The result is within His (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) Qadr alone. The BDS movement had humble beginnings – but look at it now with support from all walks of life. Even the Irish government has passed a bill boycotting products from the West Bank.

The Muslim nation has much power. With more than 1.8 billion of us, if we decided collectively and in an organised manner to support Turkey we could do so in a heartbeat. Equally a concerted boycott of American goods would bring the American economy to its knees and quite possibly a regime change in Washington. Perhaps more people on the planet other than just the Turks would thank the Muslims then.

Five ways to support Turkey have been suggested by various people and organisations:

Exchange dollars for lira – this potentially will have the double effect of weakening the dollar and stabilising the lira

Book your holiday in Turkey and with the correct intention you could actually be rewarded by Allāh for relaxing on a beach!

Buy your Lira for the holiday now

Encourage friends and family to visit Turkey

Boycott American goods – this may take time to be effective, perhaps decades, but a tidal wave begins as a few drops.

Should the economic downturn in Turkey intensify and even lead to the collapse of the economy, no doubt the strong and noble Turkish people who have a long and distinguished history of enduring hardship with patience will take comfort in the words of Allāh when He says:

“Or do you think that you will enter Paradise while such trial has not yet come to you as came to those who passed on before you? They were touched by poverty and hardship and were shaken until even their messenger and those who believed with him said, “When will the help of Allāh come?” No doubt, the help of Allāh is near.” [6]

]]>The Year 2018 and the year before have been years of even greater shame for the Arab world and the Muslim Ummah. The tempo of Israeli impunity, facilitated by Islamophobic policies of the US administration led by the demagogue Trump, and Arab sycophancy, has almost reached its zenith. It is more than a coincidence that these two partners-in-war crimes chose the centenary year after the signing of the disastrous Balfour Declaration to drive the last few nails in the coffin of Palestinian dignity making them non-entities in their own lands with utter disregard of international will, humanitarian law (IHL) and human rights regime.

It is an irony of history that a rogue State that claims to speak on behalf of Holocaust victims has itself been committing the most heinous crimes in contemporary history, while the international community has been tolerating its impunities. With the Trump-Bibi atrocities sounding a death knell on the rights of Palestinians to their own homeland, it appears that the UN and the international community are still waiting for the Palestinian funeral rites before taking any action.

It was the pinnacle of Trump’s arrogance when he announced last year that the US would recognise Jerusalem as the undivided capital of “Israel” and would move its embassy there. Despite widespread condemnation on the international scene for the move and the threats of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Trump went ahead with this controversial decision and moved the US embassy. He also opted to pull the US out from the Iran Nuclear deal amidst strong opposition from other signatories. This pleased the Zionist State and will help its military manoeuvres in the Middle East region.

The indiscriminate Israeli aggression during the Nakba protests and massacres of innocent Palestinians were reduced to mere international condemnations and laudable UN resolutions at best, while many hypocritical Arab leaders showed cowardice through virtual silence with OIC leadership displaying signs of utter helplessness and weakness. It was indeed prophetic when the Messenger of Allāh (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) said that ‘cowardice at a time when courage is needed is a branch of hypocrisy’.[1]

In yet another feat of Zionist arrogance, akin to other white supremacist fascism, Israel passed a controversial law days ago branded the “nation-state bill” which has been floating around for many years. This is an incendiary move hailed as historic by Bibi’s right-wing coalition but denounced by centrists and leftists as racist, anti-democratic and potentially fatal to ideals of equality. The draconian legislation declared that Israel is the historic homeland of the Jewish people and that “the right to exercise national self-determination in the State of Israel is unique to the Jewish people.”

It further established Hebrew as the official language of Israel, thereby downgrading Arabic to a language with “special status,” even though about 20% of its population are Arabs. The law also asserts that Jewish settlement—without specifying where—is a national value, and promises to encourage and advance settlement efforts. Perhaps, the next move will be to use this law as a pretext to expel the remaining Arabs out of Israel.

According to Ynet, an Israeli news website, ‘The nation-state bill was first introduced in 2011 by a center-right member of the Knesset, Avi Dichter’. The core goal was to establish the unique Jewish right to an Israeli homeland as one of Israel’s basic laws — effectively, its foundational, constitutional rules. When the final version passed this week, Dichter declared that “we are enshrining this important bill into a law today to prevent even the slightest thought, let alone attempt, to transform Israel to a country of all its citizens”.[2] Bibi, too, declared:

“We enshrined in law the basic principle of our existence. Israel is the nation state of the Jewish people, that respects the individual rights of all its citizens. This is our state—the Jewish state. In recent years there have been some who have attempted to put this in doubt, to undercut the core of our being. Today we made it law: This is our nation, language, and flag”.

This legislation formally sanctions discrimination against minorities in both Israel and its territories – another tool in their legal armour to make Arabs within the country further marginalised, although that has always been the case. That’s how Palestinians experience apartheid in Israel on a daily basis; but to actually make it into the basic law is a clear impunity.

Further, this law repeats the longstanding Jewish claim to the land of Israel, which some believe extends from the Jordan River to the Mediterranean Sea. Thus Trump’s claiming the role of deciding the future of Palestine by his unilateral move, and such discriminatory laws within, make peace negotiations based on a two-state solution impossible.

Bibi’s rogue State is a serial violator of international law and human rights. These systematic violations and abuses are only possible because of the impunity Israel enjoys. What has given Israel such a powerful sense of self-confidence as to enable it to go ahead with its criminal agenda against Palestinians? Until there is accountability, Israel will continue to consolidate an apartheid one-state even within its present borders – which has been expanding ever since its creation. Thus, unless the nations of the world stand together to oppose such actions, the entire planet will pay a heavy price a little further down the line, but none more so than the beleaguered people of Palestine.

As Professor of International Relations Ali Omidi says:

‘On the whole, the international community has foreseen the following legal mechanisms to prevent impunity by state criminals: 1. The International Criminal Court; 2. Special criminal tribunals; 3. Hybrid criminal tribunals; 4. Domestic courts; and 5. The UN Human Rights Council.

Every one of those institutions and mechanisms are facing their own special limitations when deciding to take an action and prosecute war criminals. As a result, those limitations have been playing a very important part in preventing prosecution of Israeli officials by the aforesaid institutions. Therefore, it goes without saying that Israel will never be put on trial before such courts.’[3][4]

‘Finally, the UN Human Rights Council mostly plays a political part than a legal one. Therefore, it cannot be expected to make decisions that are legally binding. At the end of the day, the Human Rights Council will call on the Security Council to get involved and implement its decision. Now, given the fact that the United States holds a permanent seat at the Security Council, any case against Israel will be easily sent into the archives.

All these facts remind one of Antonio Gramsci’s theory of cultural hegemony. He argued that big powers have made up global relations and structures in such a way as to serve their own tyrannical interests. As a result, the only outcome of bringing up Israel’s crimes at international bodies will be further disgrace for the Israeli regime and reduction of its international credibility. Apart from that, such institutions are not able to play an effective role in preventing Israel’s impunity.

In other words, just as the saying goes “dog does not eat dog,” international legal and political structures cannot be expected to act against the interests of those who have created them as well as their lackeys. It is only through the use of preventive force that necessary deterrence can be created against further acts of atrocity by the Israeli regime.’

Thus, with the opposition from the Muslim world too weak to mount a credible threat, and with Arab leaders in treacherous relationships with the Trump administration and its unprecedented degree of American support, Bibi’s government, the most right-wing and religious coalition in Israel’s 70-year history, has pressed its advantages on multiple fronts.

Further, faced with Israel’s crimes against humanity, Western leadership, the self-appointed champions of human rights, have been generally shrinking from any serious criticism of the “Jewish State”. Those who dare to are branded anti-Semites such as Jeremy Corbyn.

In short, the Palestinian people have been abandoned by a cowardly, sycophantic Arab/Muslim leadership in particular and the silence of the international community in general, thus hammering the last nails into the coffin of even a semblance of a Palestinian state.

Their ongoing plight is a dark stain on the community of nations and the ever more impotent body founded in the aftermath of the Second World War to safeguard human rights and freedoms – the UN. More particularly, Trump and Bibi combined have got certain shameless and cowardly Arab and OIC leaders by the jugular, having beaten them into compliance.

It is a sad reality that major Arab dictators are killing Arab conscience and suppressing democratic dissent by putting behind bars many intellectuals and scholars who point out their treachery. It appears as if a distinct Arab world does not exist and the OIC has ceased to represent Muslim interests.

]]>https://www.islam21c.com/news-views/official-apartheid-law-passed-in-21st-century/feed/035992Islamophobia twists to the Baby Trump balloon sagahttps://www.islam21c.com/news-views/islamophobia-twists-to-the-baby-trump-balloon-saga/
https://www.islam21c.com/news-views/islamophobia-twists-to-the-baby-trump-balloon-saga/#respondMon, 16 Jul 2018 16:01:52 +0000https://www.islam21c.com/?p=35727“The Tories have ignored countless calls for an inquiry into Islamophobia in their party from their own members...Clearly there’s a problem, and if Brandon Lewis’s respect meant anything, Michael Fabricant would be suspended”.

]]>The anti-Trump demonstration in London on Friday, where around 250,000 demonstrators gathered, was remarkable indeed. Adding colour to the affair was the huge ‘Baby Trump’ protest balloon – a giant, orange inflatable the size of a two-storey house, which floated above Westminster. It was deemed to be a moment of weaponised humour in a broad, colourful and beautiful protest movement. It became one of the prime weapons of choice of the people who converged that day to protest against the visit of a demagogue, racist and a narcissist POTUS, to the UK. The cowardice of Trump entourage was however apparent, as his UK itinerary appears to have been planned out carefully to avoid the capital, the ‘Baby Trump’ and the London demonstrations as much as possible. Max Wakefield discusses the underlying rationale for flying the balloon, he states:[1]

‘..With his malevolent face of undisguised rage, enormous yellow quiff, securely fastened nappy – and really tiny hands – Trump Baby symbolises the essential facts about The Donald. A man of willful and breathtaking ignorance, he wanders in the self-reflecting hall of mirrors of a terrible infant’s psyche, blinded by his own brilliance. Bereft of morality, but rich in privilege, his crazed and cowardly self-love whimsically whips, taunts and abuses anyone it can lay its (tiny) hands on, concocting lies, hatred and violent group-think to feed the beast…This is the inner life of the most powerful man on earth. Now, when Trump visits the UK he will be greeted with this grotesque, floating and unavoidable vision of himself as viewed from the outside. And he will be pursued out of the country by our echoing laughter…’

Campaigners have reportedly raised more than £16,000 to pay for the six-metre inflatable, and thousands signed a petition requesting it be allowed to fly. It was the Balloon campaign co-organiser Matthew Butcher, describing himself as one of the ‘Trump babysitters’, who said the caricature acts as a ‘mirror’ to the president- a thin-skinned, over-inflated, mobile phone-holding baby, highlighting his ‘infantile’ approach to politics.

“People see it and they know what it’s getting at. It’s bringing to light his infantile way of doing politics and the dangers behind his politics. There’s a toddler-in-chief in charge at the White House and the real-life effects of those politics is pretty devastating”.[2]

Overlooking this massive public enthusiasm, the UK’s much powerful Islamophobia lobby and the biased sections of the Media however attempted to make use of this opportunity to dilute its significance by paint-brushing the ‘balloon and the protests’ with a dash of Islamophobia tar, in order to fan the flames of controversy. Nigel Farage, who recently even defended Trump retweeting Britain First anti-Muslim videos and also labelled Labour’s Chuka Umunna of being “anti-American” for labelling Trump, a “racist, misogynistic Islamophobe”, described the blimp as the ‘biggest ever insult to a sitting president’. The Islamophobia lobby thus turned their focus on the Muslim Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan, blaming him for taking the decision.

In fact, Piers Morgan, widely considered a Trump stooge whose farcical interview with Trump some-time ago was well known, interviewed Khan on the Good Morning Britain show. The main talking point was Trump’s visit and Khan’s vocal criticism of the President. The balloon appeared to have ruffled Piers’ feathers; despite Sadiq Khan clearly stating that it was the Greater London Authority which approved the balloon to fly for a few hours and that he had no reason to act as the censor, adding ‘can you imagine if we limited freedom of speech because somebody’s feelings might be hurt?’ Piers kept on his harangue of heaping blame on Khan. Interestingly, during the interview, Piers shockingly asked whether he, being a Muslim, would like a balloon sent up depicting him as a pig.

There was another addition to this balloon drama. Michael Fabricant, the MP for Lichfield, tweeted the “offensive, highly inappropriate and racist” cartoon that showed the pig engaged in a sexual act with another pig. It appears alongside an image of the US president Donald Trump, with the comment: “Breaking news: Trump defeats Sadiq Khan in balloon wars”.

Although he later deleted the tweet, the damage was done. Responding to criticism from the senior Tory Sayeeda Warsi, who reposted a tweet which said “Islamophobia isn’t funny”, Mr Fabricant replied: “Sayeeda – the picture is vile. As soon as I saw what it was, I deleted it. I’m liberal and not anybody-phobic’. As Independent UK reported; ‘Responding to the image Afzal Khan, the shadow immigration minister, said:

“The Tories have ignored countless calls for an inquiry into Islamophobia in their party from their own members, the former chair of the party and the Muslim Council of Britain. Clearly there’s a problem, and if Brandon Lewis’s respect meant anything, Michael Fabricant would be suspended”.

The Labour MP, Wes Streeting, added that he had written to the government’s chief whip requesting action be taken against the Tory MP for “his offensive, highly inappropriate and racist” post on social media. “I’m sick of the mayor’s religion being used a punchline and punch bag by racists and bigots,” he added. “MPs should know better.”[3]

This sadly reminds of the Islamophobic London Mayoral campaign of Tory Zac Goldsmith in 2016 when he painted Labour’s Sadiq Khan as a closet extremist and repeatedly questioned Khan’s judgement in associating with alleged extremists before he became an MP. Zac was then criticised for an article in the Mail illustrated with a picture from the 7th July 2005 bombings and headlined:

“Are we really going to hand the world’s greatest city to a Labour party that thinks terrorists are its friends?”

The Muslim Council of Britain also recently sent an open letter to Conservative party chair Brandon Lewis with a list of examples of elected officials making horrifically Islamophobic comments, including a councillor calling Muslims “parasites”.

Not surprisingly, Trump in an interview with the Sun, UK blamed Khan for doing a “very bad job on terrorism” by allowing so many migrants to settle in the capital, clearly being unfairly singled out because he is a Muslim. Khan countered:

“Like other cities, we suffered from terror attacks last year. We unfortunately lost 14 people, they’re still in our thoughts and prayers. Manchester also suffered a terror attack and lost 22 people including young people. Paris, Nice, Brussels, Berlin, cities in America all suffered terror attacks.”

It was as far back as 2011 that Sayeeda Warsi, the then Conservative party chairman, said that Islamophobia had “passed the dinner-table test” and become widely socially acceptable in Britain.

It is deeply disappointing that the UK government continues to ignore this elephant in the room, and tolerates bigotry in all its forms even amongst the higher echelons of power, despite the British public speaking loud and clear that racism is unacceptable. People who protested against a “stupid, callous, fragile, racist, narcissistic POTUS” (as a poster read) on Friday, in their clearest terms echoed that they will expect nothing less than a country with zero tolerance to racism, xenophobia, Islamophobia and anti-Semitism and where diversity is celebrated.

However, if the past is anything to go by, those in government often feign sleep in the midst of public outcries in this regard and only persistent public activism can push them towards concerted action to tackle bigotry and racism.

‘We will return, that is not a threat, not a wish, a hope or a dream, but a promise’

Remi Kanazi –Palestinian Poet

The UN Secretary General and world leaders, including EU leaders, have spoken out. But they are not alone; many millions more around the globe, too, rose up expressing strong condemnation of Israeli violence and its lack of proportionality in dealing with lawful Palestinian protests against the continuing Nakba and the ill-intentioned US embassy move to Jerusalem. More than expressing mere sympathy, scores of demonstrations, street dramas, protests at sporting events, fiery speeches in many houses of parliament, in addition to the flurry of activity on social media all demanded global action against this recent spate of Israeli Zionist tyranny. Even Arab nations – some of which have traditionally taken a nonpartisan stance on the Palestinian struggle – conveyed strong sentiments on the issue.

It is apparent that Israel’s support has been eroding in key sectors of the US population too. Recent video footage (which went viral) of Nikki Haley before a speech at a US University being booed at and interrupted by the student activists, with slogans like ‘Nikki Nikki Can’t you see! You are on a Killing Spree’ was an example of campus activism against US complicity in the crimes. Unexpectedly, even the Western mainstream media has given ‘relatively’ more importance in their columns to the latest Gaza massacre. To top it all, there has also been a significant rise in the level of opposition to the Zionist State of Israel from within. Prominent Jewish Rabbis and leaders in both US and Israeli Jewish populations have proliferated powerful messages by way of demonstrations and videos.

Despite the build-up of global opposition against continuing Zionist oppression and theft of Palestinian lands, and the US’ complicity in it; despite new and organic calls for justice to the Palestinian cause, it is nothing short of a heinous crime that some Arab leaders are letting yet another historic opportunity fall through their sheepish and spineless responses. Indeed, adding insult to injury, leaders of some Arab nations have even stooped so low in asking the long victimised Palestinian people to fall in line with Trump’s and Bibi’s ‘solution’ to resolving the conflict.

As a Muslim, I was enraged at the dehumanisation and shamelessness of Bibi who remarked at the opening ceremony of the US Embassy in Jerusalem: “It’s a great day for peace.” His is a peace divorced from reality, in the shadow of the Palestinian massacre at the Gaza border.

Although the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), under President Erdogan, was seen to pursue a tough line condemning the Israeli tyranny and US complicity, its clout has been questionable. Some major Arab nations even belittled its significance by sending low level representatives to both Summit meetings convened to discuss the status of Al-Quds. OIC, in fact, passed a resolution last year declaring Trump’s decision to move the US Embassy to Jerusalem as null and void and also declaring East Jerusalem as the capital of historic and future Palestine. Despite this, and a near global consensus to such effect, the OIC failed to prevent the US Embassy move to Jerusalem.

Erdogan was praised for toeing a tough line, but his own credibility was recently brought into question when his own party voted against the proposal to cancel agreements with Israel. The OIC could not exploit overwhelming global support and successfully coordinate for effective action even to hold an impartial UN investigation into the Gaza massacres. Australia voted with the US against the Kuwait sponsored UN Resolution to such effect while the UK and few other countries abstained – a diplomatic defeat to be sure.

Meanwhile the adventurous West has been successful in pitting one Islamic nation against another; aggravating the Shia-Sunni divide, and drawing arbitrary borders since the Sykes-Picot Agreement of 1916. All the while, Middle Eastern and South Asian Muslim nations are mired in sectarian conflict on a scale unknown in living memory. Moreover, the word Islām has become synonymous with terror,[1] whereas the Christian West, in a case of reverse reality is quick to portray itself as liberators, whose legacy in almost all Arab States continues to exist as theocracies, monarchies, and dictatorships, with no space for public dissent.

Thus, despite their numbers and resources, the Muslim Ummah, represented by the OIC, is no longer a force on the world stage. As Robert Fisk wrote in December 2017,

‘If there was anything to beat in mediocrity the childish and delinquent declaration by Donald Trump that Jerusalem is Israel’s capital, it was the pathetic response from Muslim states. For there in Istanbul […] were all the tired old men to whom we have listened for so many years, none sadder or more woebegone than the ageing and useless “President” of Palestine, Mahmoud Abbas […] There were supposed to be 57 heads of state of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation in the Turkish capital, but some were simply too old and senile […] For the truth is that these Muslim leaders are no longer valid. They do not represent anyone. They may glance towards Moscow in the coming weeks but they are about as relevant as Tsarist Russia or the Austro-Hungarian Empire. They represent failed states with neither morality nor courage to show for their presence at the Istanbul summit’.[2]

Thus, today, though brave Gazans and Al-Quds scream for help,[3] Israeli Zionist impunity supported by US Hegemony trample over Muslim dignity. The Muslim Ummah has become so powerless that they are unable to gather forces to raise a unified voice against the oppressors; let alone act against them militarily. Today, a people of a faith which inspired a great civilization in which Muslims and non-Muslims alike lived creative and useful lives and which, by its achievements, enriched the whole world, are running back and forth, lost and unaware that they are instrumental to their own destruction.

This reminds of the infamous Tartar Holocaust which began in 1218 CE, when Muslims were so over-awed by their power that one Mongol could kill over a hundred Muslims and none would dare defend himself. In his book ‘Crimes Against Humanity’, Adam Jones writes:

‘The human landscape sometimes seems so bleak as to hardly justify efforts to brighten it. We confront crises, looming or pervasive, on a dizzying number of fronts . . . As individuals, we may feel like the Dutch boy with his finger in the dike – except that new leaks are always springing up beyond our reach; others’ ability or willingness to help is uncertain; and even where we stand, the hole appears too big for our trivial efforts to plug it’.

This is exactly the feeling of helplessness which has entered the collective Muslim psyche when crisis after crisis hits the Muslim world. The post 9/11 period in particular and most recently, the US embassy move to Jerusalem and the Gaza massacre on the eve of the Nakba commemoration, aptly symbolise yet another example of US and Israeli impunity.

Interestingly, these trying times for the Muslims appear to have been foretold by the Prophet of Islām (sall Allāhu ʿalayhi wa sallam) more than 1,400 years ago. He is reported to have said,

“The People will soon summon one another to attack you as people when eating invite others to share their food.” Someone asked, “Will that be because of our small numbers at that time?” He replied, “No, you will be numerous at that time: but you will be like the foam carried down by a torrent (of water), and Allāh will take the fear of you from the hearts of your enemy and cast al-wahn into your hearts.” Someone asked, “O Messenger of Allāh, what is al-wahn?” He replied, “Love of the world and dislike of death.”[4]

He likened Muslims living during those times to froth. It lies atop water, weightless, not in control of its path. Happily flowing along to its destination it is intoxicated with its imaginary position (on top of the water). An apt description indeed!

What is the way forward for the Ummah to reclaim the lost Muslim dignity and Al-Quds?

It was Friar Manuel Musallam, member of the Christian-Islamic Committee in Support of Jerusalem and the Holy Places, who reminded the Muslims:

‘Only a new Saladin will liberate Palestine from the occupation. The road to liberate Jerusalem will start in Gaza and a new Saladin would need to be born to free the country from the occupation’.

History has proved time and again, that Allāh has blessed this Muslim Ummah with social reformers and ‘Salahuddīns’ at appropriate times to reclaim Muslim dignity. It is, however, important for every Muslim to endeavour to be one themselves in these times of calamity, polluted with ‘wahn’. Perhaps, the wheelchair-bound Gazan martyr Fadi Abu Salah armed with a rock and a slingshot, a symbol of the Palestinian resistance, taught every Muslim an apt lesson on courage and ‘can do’ attitudes: Do what must be done to be Salahuddīn in your own way. Rekindle the lost Muslim spirit; be part of a Muslim awakening movement; kick-start the long journey towards reclaiming past glory; pressurise Muslim leaders either in deep slumber or involved in treacherous action. This is the least we Muslims can do. If we fail to act decisively at a time when our leaders have failed us, Allāh says:

“Allāh will not change the condition of a people until they change what is in themselves.”[5]

More importantly, Allāh’s ḥisāb (reckoning) awaits the Muslim Ummah. We will, each of us, stand before Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) and have our own bodies recount what we have done, or what we failed to do.

“Today We seal up their mouths and their hands speak to Us, and their feet bear witness to what they have earned.”[6]

]]>https://www.islam21c.com/politics/the-imperative-need-for-a-salahuddin-spirit/feed/134351Don’t blame Israel for killing children, it’s not their fault.https://www.islam21c.com/politics/dont-blame-israel-for-killing-children-its-not-their-fault/
https://www.islam21c.com/politics/dont-blame-israel-for-killing-children-its-not-their-fault/#respondSat, 19 May 2018 17:21:29 +0000https://www.islam21c.com/?p=32816A unified western media wave has been declaring to the public that somehow it is Hamas who is to blame for Israel’s targeted killing of civilians

]]>On Monday the Israeli military slaughtered 60 Palestinian civilians, injuring a further two and a half thousand. Israeli soldiers fired live ammunition and incendiary weapons into crowds of demonstrators, as they protested the ongoing blockade and provocative opening of a US embassy in Jerusalem. Amongst the victims, at least six children were killed and 200 wounded under direct fire. [1]

The bloodshed marked the greatest loss of innocent lives in Gaza since the 2014 Israeli onslaught on the overpopulated and starved strip of land, in which 2,220 people were killed, 547 of which were children, and a further 1,000 children permanently disabled from their wounds.[2]

As a matter of course, during and between every conflict, the Israeli military has up kept a briskly growing kill-count of children and civilians. Often the killings can only be described as targeted and deliberate attacks on child targets. One such example is the inexcusable incident in which a missile backed by advance targeting technology was launched by the Israeli navy killing four children playing football on the beach in 2014.[3] Drone footage before the killing clearly shows that the targets where children playing in a wide open area.

The horrendous crime of maiming and killing children has become synonymous with Israeli aggression, so much so that Watchlist (a coalition of leading human rights and humanitarian organisations) recently proposed blacklisting Israel for its constant ‘violence against children.’[4] Yet as the IDF continues to cement its trend of unchecked crimes against humanity, the pro-Israeli media has been hard at work, reassuring the world that Israel is in fact not to blame for its own actions.

Championed by an inarticulate statement from the White House, articles in a number of outlets including the Washington Post, The Jewish chronicle and others, have presented a unified media wave, declaring to the public that somehow it is Hamas who is to blame, for Israel’s killing of civilian targets including children.

In a White House press conference, Trump’s Press Secretary Raj Shah described the incident as a “gruesome and unfortunate propaganda attempt” orchestrated by Hamas. “The responsibility for these tragic deaths rests squarely with Hamas. Hamas is intentionally and cynically provoking this response,”[5] he added. However Shah offers no deeper explanation for this counter-intuitive stance.

In the Washington Post, Columnist Max Boot admits that “Yes, the confrontation between Palestinians and Israeli security forces occurred at the same time as the unveiling of the new U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem,” however, “it doesn’t mean that, if the embassy had stayed in Tel Aviv, peace and tranquillity would have prevailed in Gaza.”[6] Boot illuminates further writing that Hamas, being a “terrorist organisation”, “would not accept any U.S. Embassy anywhere in Israel, because it doesn’t accept the state of Israel.”6 Yet again, how the political stance of Hamas pulled the triggers of Israeli firearms pointed at children, Boot fails to explain.

Perhaps the most spectacular feat of mental gymnastics was performed by Daniel Sugarman, who initially disparaged the aggression of Israel. However upon coming to his senses Sugarman doubles-back and retracts his criticisms made in a flight of passion. His confessions are offered in a repentant article titled: “I said Israel should be ashamed – now I am the one who is ashamed.”[7] In the Jewish Chronicle Sugarman explains how he has come to understand that the IDF had no choice but to use lethal weapons as rubber bullets and water cannons are “only short range” and would have failed to deter the “tens of thousands of people rushing the border.” 7 Again, exactly how Hamas is to blame for bullets fired by Israeli weapons is a concept that is not adequately explained by Sugarman or any commentators.

These statements made by they endlessly creative pro-Israeli lobby are an example of what is known as victim blaming. For those who don’t know, Victim Blaming “occurs when the victim(s) of a crime or an accident is held responsible — in whole or in part — for the crimes that have been committed against them.”[8] To blame a victim for crimes committed against them is a particularly divisive form of oppression. For example: “Of course that woman was raped, look at how she was dressed.” If that inverted and corrupted logic disgusts you, then so should the relentless blame that is placed on the Palestinian people for their own rape and murder.

The fact of the matter is that victim blaming has long been the calling card of the Israeli media vanguard, and the pro Zionist lobby has the art of victim blaming down to a tee. In virtually every press statement made by the IDF following the killing of children of unarmed civilians, Israeli spokespeople claim that the victims of their violence are in fact to blame, as we hear the oft-recycled broken record slogan “Israel has the right to defend itself.” However time and time again we see that it is the Israeli military committing war crimes, breaking peace accords, mocking international law and conventions and firing the first shot, often against civilians.[9] Only Israeli lobbyists could possibly have the audacity to blame murder victims for their own deaths and with persistent dehumanising designations appended to the Palestinian people, this warped and cruel logic doesn’t even appear to raise any red flags in mainstream western media.

In reality the only sane premise for shifting the blame from Israel, is to realise that their military has never deviated from their stated aims – that is to say we’ve known all along that Israel has every intention of usurping the entirety of Palestine as well as a fair bit more. Israel values its expansion and dominance on the region and has never pretended to value civilian lives, or the lives of Arab children. If you really want to spare Israel the blame for its crimes, then look no further than the network of Arab nations implicitly giving their blessings as they develop knew relations with the ‘region’s only democracy’ turning a blind eye to the vanishing of the Palestinian people and the theft of the first qibla of Islam, Jerusalem.

So remember: Don’t blame Israel for killing children, it’s not their fault. No doubt they would have grown up to be terrorists right?[10]